Nature of Work
The study of humankind is termed as anthropology. It investigates the cultural, social and physical diversity of the human species, of both past and present. The term ‘anthropology’ is frequently used to refer solely to social anthropology. With a wide range of theoretical perspectives and topical interests, it overlaps with many other disciplines. It is a uniquely Western social science.
It is divided into two broad categories: biological or physical anthropology, which attempt to explain human biological variation from an evolutionary perspective; and the larger field of social or cultural anthropology, which attempts to explain the variety of human cultures. This differs from sociology in that anthropologists are concerned with cultures and societies other than their own. Biological anthropology is concerned with human palaeontology, primatology, human adaptation, demography, population genetics and human growth and development. Social or cultural anthropology is divided into three subfields: social or cultural anthropology proper, prehistory or prehistoric archaeology, and anthropological linguistics.
Anthropology's primary method involves the researcher living for a year or more in another culture, speaking the local language and participating in all aspects of everyday life; and writing about it afterwards. By comparing these accounts, anthropologists hope to understand who we are.
Growth Opportunities
Graduates of anthropology utilize their use their Bachelor's degree in Anthropology as a foundation to go into other related fields such as teaching, law, library work, information research, documentary film making, photography, diversity training, medical and health-related jobs, translating and interpreting, bilingual education, museum work, cultural brokerage, environmental impact assessment, social impact assessment, international development, police work and forensics, genetics counseling, international business, management, marketing, personnel, public relations, administration, sales, transportation, real estate, insurance, fund-raising, consulting, government work, park ranger, publishing, media, journalism, travel, historic preservation, historic archaeology, scientific and creative writing and more.
Market Scenario
Research and training opportunities are being provided by the Indian Council of Historical Research, and INTACH. The historical division of the Ministry of External Affairs also takes on researchers in the Cultural Affairs Division. There are also several private collectors who provide employment for researchers and restorers.
Archeology and museology offers fascinating jobs for those interested in the past. But it requires an artistic, perceptive and probing mind. The work requires meticulous patience and sometimes involves travelling to remote areas and handling a lot of fieldwork.
The Archeological Society of India employs a large number of people and specialists are in great demand for maintaining, investigating and reporting about the archeological sites and their condition. The ASI also maintains archeological departments in all states and at sites of historical significance. In some areas specialists dealing with different aspects of archaeology such as temple sites, Mughal period historians, Dravidian inscriptions and so on are selected to handle special assignments. Selection to the ASI is made through the UPSC and state PSCs.
There are also jobs with the National Archives of India which houses all historical data at its headquarters in Delhi and regional offices in Bhopal and Jaipur, and the National Museum in New Delhi and the many state museums across the country, as also specialized museums and organizations such as the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Defense Services that run and maintain their own museums, the Films Division where old films need to be preserved, the All India Handicrafts Board and others .
Overseas:
Graduates in anthropology should develop an appreciation of the richness and complexity of the societies and cultures that make up our world, and the analytical skills to make sense of them. Some graduates may pursue careers as professional anthropologists, either within an academic institution or employed in government or non-government bodies concerned, for example, with overseas aid and development. Other graduates will continually draw on their anthropological studies as teachers, writers, journalists, administrators, and within the increasing array of professions and positions in both government and private enterprise that require an understanding of and sensitivity to cultural difference.
